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Blackburn Back To BBC

Veteran broadcaster Tony Blackburn has returned to BBC radio.

73-year-old Tony Blackburn has returned to BBC radio presenting a three-hour live show, Soul Party, on Radio 2 on New Year’s Eve. As his new slot began, he said: "It's New Year's Eve, it's BBC Radio 2 and what do you know? Good Lord, I'm back." This marks his first broadcast since February when he was taken off air over the Jimmy Savile inquiry.

During the inquiry, director general Tony Hall said that Blackburn had failed to fully cooperate.

In a statement, Blackburn said: "I do not seek to criticise the BBC for decisions it has made in the past.

"I have had a difficult year personally, but I'm pleased to be returning to the BBC and can't wait to get behind the mic again."

He will be presenting an hour-long BBC Radio 2 show called The Golden Hour at 7pm on Fridays starting on January 6.

He told listeners he was "looking forward very much indeed" to starting the new programme, which he said would be full of "fantastic" music.